Endless flexible slide magazine

ABSTRACT

A flexible annular magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, and comprising an annular series of L-shaped, molded plastic slide-holding elements hingedly joined together. Each L-shaped element has two coplanar seats in the adjacent sides of the legs of the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;L&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide, formed in the preferred embodiment by two laterally spaced sets of tabs on each leg, for receiving a slide between them, the slide being releasably held in the seats by two movable detent fingers at the free ends of the legs. Alternative forms have V-shaped grooves forming the seats in the vertical legs of the elements and deep seats formed by upwardly diverging sidewalls in the horizontal legs, in which the lower edge portion of a slide can be wedged. The preferred hinges are formed by snap-locking pin-and-socket elements molded integrally with each vertical leg, and alternatives include a one-piece molded belt having fins upon which individual elements are mounted, a onepiece molded magazine in which the elements are connected by webs forming living hinges molded integrally with the elements, a preformed fabric belt upon which the elements are molded, and a series of elements tied together by endless elastic bands interfitting with notches in the elements.

[1 11 3,820,886 I451 June 28,1974

United States Patent [191 Frey et al.

slides in a slide projector, and comprising an annular series of L-shaped, molded plastic slide-holding ele- Invemors' gg f ggjgfifi g' g t ments hing'edly joined together. Each L-shape d ele- Mmon wadler Goleta; Paul ment has two coplanar seats n the ad acent sldes of Harrison, Santa Barbara Calif the legs of the L forreceiving two contiguous side edges of aslide, formed in the preferred embodiment by two laterally spaced sets of tabs on each leg, for re- Wadler ceiving a slide between them, the slide being releasably held in the seats by two movable detent fingers at Ffled' 1973 the free ends of the legs; Alternative forms have V- PP 329,900 shaped grooves forming the seats in the vertical legs of the elements and deep seats formed by upwardly diverging sidewalls in the horizontal'legs, in which the ENDLESS FLEXIBLE SLIDE [73] Assignee: said Frey, by said Harrison and lower edge portion of a slide can be wedged. The preferred hinges are formed by snap-locking pin-andsocket elements molded integrally with each vertical leg, and alternatives include a one-piece molded belt having fins upon which individual elements are References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS mounted, a one-'piecefmolded magazine in which the elements are connected by webs forming living hinges 353/10 molded integrally with the elements, a pre-formed fab- 353/109 ric belt upon which the elements are molded, and a 353/109 series 1 of elements tied together by endless elastic bandsinterfittingwith notches in the elements.

.l,409,l86 Kothringer........i...............;.

2,823,472 Waller 3,633,200 l/l972 Primary Examiner-L'ouis R. Prince Assistant Examiner-A. Jason Mirabito [57] 7 ABSTRACT A flexible annular magazine for holding a plurality of i 49 Claims, 26 Drawing Figures PA T ENTEBJUNZB 1914 v 3; 20.

SHEET 2 BF 5 1 ENDLESS FLEXIBLE SLIDE MAGAZINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to magazines for holding framed transparencies, or slides, in a slide projector, and relates more particularly to magazines of the type in which a plurality of individual slide holding elements are arranged in an endless annular series and flexibly joined together, for use in a projector in which the magazine is supported and driven, belt-like, around at least two spaced shafts.

An early projector of this general type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,369, in which the slide-holding elements were small metal clips arranged around a flexible belt and adhesively secured to the outer side of the belt. In this case, the belt was permanently mounted on supporting shafts in an open-ended plastic case, forming a box-like magazine that was insertible in the projector and removable'therefrom as a unit.

A more recent and improved projector of this general type is shown in copending application Ser. No. 200,468, filed Nov. l9, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,729,254 entitled Slide Projector For Unsupported Flexible Slide Holders, in which the same type of slideholding belt is shown, but without need for the bulky plastic case, the projector having two internal, parallel shafts around which theunsupported belt is placed. In this case also, small metal clips were adhesively secured to the belt in side-by-side relation across the belt, and each clip had spring metal fingers between which one edge portion of a slide could be gripped and held. U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,873 more specifically describes this type of clip.

Although this type of slide holder has been satisfactory from the standpoint of performance, considerable 1 expense has been involved in the'fabrication of the metal clips and the assembly of the clips on the belt. The possibility of molding this earlier type of clip of plastic has been considered, but rejected as impractical in view of the questionable ability of such clips to grip slides securely over. long periods of time. There also have been questions whether the fabric belts may stretch, weaken or harden with age and long use, or become subject to slipping, but there have been no positive indications that these will be serious problems. Mass-production cost of the slide holders, their effectiveness in securely holding slides over a long period and in performing effectively in a slide projector, and

to a lesser degree, their appearance, are the primary considerations which created the need for the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention resides in a novel flexible slideholding magazine of the foregoing general type, which can be massproduced and assembled at substantially lower cost than the fabric belt and metal clip type disclosed in the aforesaid patents,' and which is at least equally effective and durable in use and presents a more attractive, commercially sophisticated appearance. For these purposes, the magazine comprises a plurality of slide-holding elements that are designed to be hinged together in an annular series and so as to be capable of being molded of plastic very economically on a mass-production basis, while at the same time being designed for easy insertion of slides in the holding elements, to retain the slides securely but removably in place, and for effective feeding of slides one by one into and out of the projection gate of the slide projector in use. The magazine can be collapsed into a very compact form for storage, flexes readily to avoid interfer-' ence with proper operation of the projector, can include means for positive engagement with the driving shaft of the projector, and can be expected to have long service life.

Toachieve the foregoing ends, each slide-holding element of the magazine has one elongated leg which is disposed between the corresponding legs of the other slide-holding elements of the annular series and is formed with a seat in its outer side for receiving and holding one side edge of a slide, and the element also has a second elongated leg projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg, generally at a right angle thereto, this leg also being formed with a seat inone side for receiving and holding a side edge of the slide contiguous to the side edge in the first seat. Each slideholding element has means for retaining a slide firmly but removably within the two seats, and hinge-forming means are provided for joining the first legs of adjacent elements together into the flexible annular form.

Accordingly, although additions may be made, the basic slide-holding element is an L-shaped part comprising the two legs with seats formed on the adjacent sides of the legs, that is, on the inner side of the right angle, and with the hinge-forming means on corresponding legs of the L. For convenience of reference, the first legs hereinafter are referred to as vertical, and the second legs are horizontal, but is is to be understood that the orientation of the legs will change with the position of the holder.

In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the hinge-forming means comprise interfitting pin-and-socket elements which are carried on arms projecting inwardly from the inner sides of the vertical legs and inclined laterally across the planes of the sides of the elements to overlap with the similar arms of adjacent elements. Two types of elements alternate in each slide holder, one having pins on the arms and one having sockets on'arms that are spaced longitudinally on the vertical legs from the pin-carrying arms,-to position the hinge-forming elements for proper engagement. A

set of oppositely inclined armsis provided adjacent each end of the vertical leg, to provide two vertically spaced hinges on each side of each slide-holding element.

The seats on the two legs are formed, in the preferred embodiment, by sets of longitudinally spaced tabs, the sets being spaced apart laterally of the legs to engage opposite sides of the slide, and being staggered longitu dinally of the legs. To properly center a slide despite variations in its thickness, the bottoms of the seats are made V-shaped, herein by forming an inclined ramp from each tab across the leg on which it is formed, the ends of the rams at the tabs being the higher ends so that'the intersections of the staggered and oppositely inclined ramps define an elongated V.

For secure but removable retention of slides in the seats, latch members are formed at the free ends of the two legs to overlie the third and fourthside edges of a slide and press the slide into the seats. These latch members normally are disposed in positions in which they firmly engage the slides and serve as detents preventing removal from the element, but are flexibly and resiliently movable relative to the legs, so as to be movable out of the normal positions during insertion and removal of a slide. With this embodiment, magazines for holding different numbers of slides may be provided simply by snapping together different numbers of individual elements. Thus, the concept is quite versatile with respect to capacity.-

In-a second embodiment, the slide-holding portions of the elements are the same as in the first form, but the hinge-forming means is an endless molded plastic belt having a pluarality of mounting fins extending transversely across the belt and longitudinally spaced around the corner side thereof. The slide-holding elements have tabs on the inner sides of the vertical legs for interlocking with the fins and securing the elements to the belt, flexible plastic portions of the belt between the mounting fins constituting living hinges for the assembled, belt-type magazine. Magazines of different capacities may be provided by molding belts of different lengths, with different numbers of fins thereon. Then the appropriate numbers of holding elements are assembled on the belts.

In another embodiment, the L-shaped holding elements are of a somewhat simplified design permitting the entire magazine (hinges and a set of slide-holding elements) to be molded integrally of plastic, in one piece. The slide-holding elements of this embodiment comprise vertical legs integrally joined by plastic webs forming living hinges, and. have elongated grooves of V-shaped cross-section in their outer sides, and the horizontal legs are trough-like, defining deep grooves which are tapered downwardly both to receive slides with a press fit and to facilitate molding of the magazine in one piece. Each lower leg has an upturned and grooved toe at its freeend, for engaging the outer side edge of a slide and holding it firmly against the vertical leg, and the deep taper of the lower seat frictionally grips the lower edge portion of the slide.

Of course, tooling for this type of holder is relatively expensive, and separate tooling is required for each different size or capacity of the magazine. In addition, the plastic used must be capable of flexing repeatedly, and over long periods of time, in the living hinge areas.

With tooling and appropriate. plastic, assembly opera-v tions are completely eliminated, and the resulting product can be mass-produced at low cost as a one-piece unitary magazine.

Another embodiment comprises'individual slideholding elements that are molded on a fabric belt, each slide-holding element having integral means on the inner side of the vertical leg securing the element to the belt. Preferably,-the securing means comprise at least one projection extending through the beltand having an integral locking enlargement engaging the inner side of the belt. In the particular embodiment disclosed, plastic is forced through the porous belt to form a connecting bar that is interlocked with the strands of the fabric and also joins the locking enlargement to the element. The individual slide-holding elements thus are molded in place on the belt, so that an entire magazine can be completed in one operation, by placing a belt around a die core, placing die halves around the core with cavities therein for the elements, and molding the elements in the cavities and through the belt, the core having cavities inside the belt for molding the locking enlargements.

. 4 Various configurations of slide-holding elements may be formed and mounted in this way, the preferred configuration being similar to that in the immediately preceding embodiment. The enlargements can be used as driving abutmentsengageable with grooves in the driving shaft of the projector. It should be noted that such driving abutmentsare desirable for positive driving, and thus may be provided for the other embodiments, as well. Alternatively, ribs may be provided on the driving shaft of the projector, to engage in recesses in the inner sides of the vertical legs of the slide holding elements.

r In a further embodiment, individual L-shaped slideholding elements are hinged together by two endless elastic bands which tie the elements together in the annular series. Bayonet-type notches are formed in the upper and lower ends of the vertical legs of the elements, the notches having inwardly extending inner end portions, and the bands are stretched into these notches, and snapped into the inner end portions thereof to serve as the hinge-forming means of .the magazine. The walls of the inner end portions are arcuate, transversely of the vertical legs, to minimize additional stretching of the bands in operation. Any of the configurations of the slide-holding elements may be hinged in BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slide-holding magazine embodying the novel features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of an individual slide-holding element of the magazine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary viewsimilar to part of FIG. 2 but showing part of a second type of slide-holding element of the magazine of FIG. I; i t

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the element of FIG. 2, taken from the left or inner side of the element;

FIG. 5 is a similar elevational view taken from the left side of the element of FIG. 3;

, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the element of FIGS. 3 and 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along line 99 of FIGS;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary plan from line 10-10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view similar .to FIG. 10 but showing parts of three connected elements of the magazine of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of parts of the inner sides of two adjacent elements of the magazine of FIG. 1;

FIG. l3-is a view similar to FIG. 12', with additional portions of the two elements shown, and with an illustrative shaft of a type that may be used in a slide projector to hold and drive a magazine;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 2, on a somewhat'review taken duced scale, with a slide in place and with broken-line illustrations of the movement of the slide and the element during insertion and removal of the slide;

FIG. is an exploded fragmentary perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the invention, only one holding element being shown with part of a belt;

FIG. 16 is a view showing the assembled condition of the element and belt of FIG. 17, the belt being shown partially in cross-section and the element being shown in side elevation;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 17- 17 of FIG. 16, with three elements on the portion of the belt shown;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of another alternative embodiment, shown on another type of supporting shaft; I

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 1919 of FIG. 18 with the position of a slide shown and the element partially broken away for compactness;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of part of a magazine of the type shown in FIG. 18, the magazine being shaped to an arcuate form and the positions of slides being shown;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through the shaft and magazine of FIG. 18, in a plane perpendicular to the shaft.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of part of another alternative embodiment of the invention, comprising slide-holding elements molded on a fabric belt;

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFIGS. 1 THROUGH 14 As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, and with specific reference to FIGS. 1 through 14, the invention is embodied in a flexible annular magazine 10 for holding a plurality of slides 11 in a slide projector (not shown) of the type disclosed in the aforesaid application, and feeding the slides one by one into and out of the projection gate of the projector as the magazine is moved step by step around supporting elements of the projector. Although not specifically intended for such use, the magazine 10 also may be adapted for use in projectors of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,170,369.

In these projectors, the magazine is removably supported around two parallel shafts, only one such shaft 12 being shown herein (see FIG. 13) and preferably being generally square in cross-section. This shaft is positioned alongside the projection gate so that one slide 11 at a time projects outwardly from the shaft into the projection gate. As the shaft is turned through ninetydegree increments, successive slides are moved into the projection gate, the drive for the shaft being reversible for reversible feeding of the slides. Suitable positioning means (not shown) usually are provided for holding each slides in the proper plane, from the side of the projection gate opposite the shaft 12.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description of slide projector characteristics is illustrative only, as background regarding one area of use of the magazine of the present invention, and that the magazine also may be usable in various other types of projectors, now or hereafter available. When the magazine is used in a projector of the type in the aforesaid application, it is removable from the projector and can be collapsed into compact form with the slides remaining in place, and a plurality of such magazines can be used interchangeably in the projector. v

As previously suggested, the conventional magazine for use in existing projectors of this type has been formed as a flexible belt with spring metal clips adhesively secured to its outer side, each of the clips being generally U,-shaped incross-section to receive one side edge portion of a slide and hold the latter in an outwardly projecting position. The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a magazine of the same general character which is capable of being mass produced in large commercial quantities and at lower cost than. the prior belt-type magazines, while being equally effective in performing the required functions of the magazine.

In accordance with the present invention, the slideholding magazine 10 comprisesa plurality of individual slide-holding elements 13 (formed in the presently preferred embodiment asseparate parts) each having one elongated leg 14, shown herein as vertical, thatis disposed between and hinged to the corresponding legs of the other elements, and also having a second leg 15, shown herein as horizontal, which projects outwardly from one end of the first leg, generally at a right angle thereto. Each of these legs has, an elongated longitudinal seat 17, 18 in one side for receiving an edge portion of a slide 11 fitted in the right angle defined by the two legs 14 and 15, and means are provided for retaining sucha slide securely but removably in the seats.

With the slide-holding elements designed as basically A L-shaped parts having coplanar slide holding seats 17,

18 in the legs of the L, they can be molded of plastic with conventional molding techniques in large quantities and at relatively low cost. When the elements are virtually open sided, opposite the vertical legs, and open topped, opposite the horizontal legs, withdrawal of die parts for forming the seats 17 and 18 is greatly facilitated. Moreover, the preferred retaining means are resiliently flexible latch members 19 and 20 for engaging the third and fourth sides of a slide 11 and are formed as integral parts of the slide-holding elements, and the preferred hinge-forming means also are formed integrally with the elements, thereby reducing the number of parts required for the magazine.

More specifically, and as shown in FIGS. 1 through 14, the preferred slide-holding magazine 10 comprises a plurality of slide-holding elements 13 and 13" which are separately molded and have hinge-forming elements 21 and 22 which are molded with the elements and subsequently snapped together to form an endless annular series of the elements, as shown in FIG. 1. The elements 13 and 13" are basically identical, except for the hinge forming elements, which comprise hinge pins 21 on the elements 13 and hinge sockets 22 on the elements 13", defined by cups 23, the pins and sockets being positioned on the vertical legs 14 to interfit and lock with each other and hinge the elements 13 and 13" together.

In each of the elements 13, 13', the vertical leg 14 comprises a flat and relatively thin web 24 (see FIG. 7) of plastic which has two stiffening ribs 25 projecting laterally from its opposite sides, forming a thickened vertical margin along the inner edge of the web, and extending at 27 (FIG. 2) across the upper end of the web. The vertical web is integrally joined to a similar, coplanar web 28 forming the central portion of the horizontal leg 15, and similar stiffening ribs 29 (see FIG. 8) project laterally from the lower sides of this web to' form a thickened lower margin along the underside of the horizontal leg. The stiffening ribs are integrally joined at the apex of the right angle.

The seats 17 and 18 are defined along the outer and upper sides of the legs 14 and 15, respectively, by laterally spaced and opposed sets of tabs 30 and 31 project- I ing outwardly from the vertical leg, and similar sets of tabs 32 and 33 projecting upwardly from the horizontal leg. The tabs of the two sets on each leg are positioned along opposite side edges of the leg, and are spaced laterally from the tabs of the other set a distance selected to insure that a slide 11 will be received between the abutments formed by the adjacent sides of the tabs. In addition, the tabs of the two opposed sets preferably are staggered longitudinally of the leg, thus distributing the holding force along the slide and permitting a degree of flexing of a slide as it is fitted between the tabs.

For firm locating engagement of the edges of the slides 11 with the bottoms of the seats 17 and 18, the latter are formed with effectively V-shaped bottoms by providing an inclined ramp 34 (FIGS. 6-8) which extends laterally across the leg of the slide-holding element from each of the tabs, the ramps being oppositely inclined from the tabs of the two sets on each leg and the higher end of each ramp being at the aligned tab so that the ramps alternating along each leg are oppositely inclined, downwardly toward the centerline of the horizontal leg and inwardly toward the centerline of the vertical leg. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8, the result is an effectively V-shaped bottom in each seat which centers the slides on the leg, regardless of variations in thickness of the slides. a

The latch members 19 and 20 constituting the retaining means of the preferred embodiment are two resiliently flexible fingers which project transversely of the free ends of the two legs, outwardly from the vertical leg 14 and upwardly from the horizontal leg 15, to overlie the third and fourth side edges of a slide and press the slide firmly into both of the sseats 17 and 18. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the upper finger 19 is the horizontal portion of an L-shaped extension on the upper end of the leg 14, and has a depending abutment bead 35 at its outer end for pressing against the upper side edge of a slide. A reversed, L-shaped lug 37 is disposed above the finger 19 and joined thereto by a generally rectangular web 38 that is coplanar with the webs 24 and 28. This stiffens the lug 37, which can serve as a grip for manipulating the finger 19. The relatively thin portion 39 of the element joining the finger to the vertical leg 14 forms a resiliently flexible hinge permitting relatively free front-to-rear flexing of the finger, as indicated in broken lines in FIG. 14, but urges the finger to the normal position shown in FIGS. 2 and 6.

The latching finger 20 on the horizontal leg 15 is simply a resiliently flexible, integral extension of the underside of the leg, projecting outwardly somewhat be yond the end of the web 28 and then upwardly, parallel to the vertical leg 14, to a level above the bottom of the horizontal seat 18. The free upper end of this finger is formed with an inwardly turned abutment bead 40 for engaging the outer side edge of a slide. As shown in FIG. 14, the resilient flexibility of the finger 20 permits it to cooperate with the upper finger 19 in admitting a slide into, and latching in the slide-holding element.

A triangular corner brace or gusset 41 preferably connects the two legs 14 and 15 along one side of the position of a slide, to strengthen the angle. Two laterally projecting tabs 42 are formed on one side of the horizontal leg to facilitate positioning of the elements 13 and 13 in side-by-side relation during assembly of the magazine 10.

The hinge axes between adjacent slide-holding elements 13, 13 of the magazine 10 are positioned in the planes of the sides of the elements, and for this purpose, the hinge pins 21 and the hinge sockets 22 are carried on the inned ends of inwardly extending arms 43 which are inclined laterally from the inner sides of the vertical legs 14. To provide secure and effective hinges, two vertically spaced sets of pin-and-socket elements join each pair of adjacent slide-holding elements together, so each slide-holding element has two arms inclined laterally in one direction adjacent the opposite ends of the leg 14, and two arms inclined laterally in the opposite direction adjacent the ends of the leg.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the hinge pins 21 on the upper two arms 43 of the element 13 project upwardly from the arms, and the pins on the lower arms project downwardly from the arms. Accordingly, the sockets 22 on the upper two arms 43 of the element 13" open downwardly, and the sockets on the lower two arms open upwardly. The arms are arranged at different levels along the vertical legs of the two elements, so that the upper socket-carrying arms overlap the upper two pin-carrying arms, with the sockets 22 overlying the pins 21, and so that the lower arms also overlap, with the pins overlying the sockets.

The free ends of the pins 21 are rounded, and the outer sides of the cups 23 defining the sockets 22 also are rounded, to facilitate assembly of a selected number of the elements 13, and 13" into a magazine 10.

When two such elements are placed side by side and pressed together, with the pinsabutting against the cups, the rounded portions act as cooperating cams and cause the arms to bend so that the pins can snap into the sockets, the arms being relatively stiff but resiliently flexible.

For molding convenience, the cups 23 have openings in their adjacent sides, as shown most clearly in FIG. 9, facing toward the associated cup and awayfrom the element 13 upon which the pin is carried that will be fitted into the cup. Stop pins 44 are formed on the arms 43 of the elements 13, in spaced relation with the hinge pins 21 and positioned to abut against the overlapping arm when the elements are in side-by-side relation, as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 11.

To adapt these slide-holding elements 13 and 13" for positioning and driving engagement with the flat-sided shaft 12 of a slide projector, bearing elements 45 are molded on the inner sides of the vertical legs 14, be-

tween the sets of hinging arms 43 thereon, and provided with flat inner sides for engaging the shaft. For proper turning of the elements around the shaft 12, the pivotal axes of the hinges should lie in the plane of the flat side of the shaft against which the bearing elements abuts. So that the hinge-forming elements can extend inwardly beyond the flat sides of the shaft, the shaft should be formed with a central portion 12" of square cross-section, and with reduced-size, coaxial extensions 12 of circular cross-section at each end of the central portion providing clearance for the inner end portions of the arms 43. Thus, the pins 21 and the sockets 22 can be centered on axes that lie in common planes with the flat sides of the bearing boxes, as well as on the planes of the sides of the slide-holding elements.

Generally heart-shaped lugs 47 (see FIGS. 6, 7, l2 and 13) are formed at the upper and lower ends of the bearing members on the elements 13, to project inwardlybeyond the flat side of the bearing element. The two lugs 47 on each bearing element are spaced to straddle the square portion 12 of the shaft 12, with some clearance as shown in FIG. 13. These lugs have flared sides which overlie the ends of the bearing elements of the adjacent elements 13, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and impart transverse or vertical stiffness .to the magazine. The laterally spaced, rounded portions on the inner ends of the lugs provide clearance around the circular portions 12 of the shaft.

The lugs 47 thus prevent shifting of adjacent ele-. ments parallel to the pivotal axes, thereby providing same width as the length of the vertical legs 14 of the slide-holding elements 50, and having a preselected number of integral, transverse mounting fins 52 longitudinally spaced along its outer side and perpendicular to the length of the belt. Each fin has abutments thereon for interlocking with abutments on the vertical leg 14 of a slide-holding element 50 and thereby securing the element to the belt in the proper operative Position, shown in FIG. 16.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the locking abutments on the mounting fins 52 are formed by elongated, enlarged heads 53 preferably extending the full length of the fins and sufficiently thicker than the fins to provide a locking shoulder 53 on each side of each fin. For vertical positioning, at least one pad or boss 54 is formed on a side of each fin, between the belt and the shoulder 53.

The interlocking abutments on the slide-holding elements 50 are formed by two sets of lugs 55 and 56 projecting inwardly from the opposite side portions of the overload protection for hinge-forming elements. They also assist in the alignment of the slide-holding elements during assembly.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the die-making art that suitable dies can be provided for producing the elements 13 and 13 on a volume basis. Various types of suitableplastic are available for use in moldingthe elements. Moreover, it also will be seen that the thicknesses of the various parts are substantially the same, thus minimizing problems of shrinkage after the plastic has been injected into the dies. Of course, two types of dies are needed for the specific arrangement of pinand-socket elements shown, one for the elements 13 with the pins 21, and another for the elements 13 with the sockets 22. With a supply of these two types of elements, magazines 10 may be made up in various capacities, simply by snapping together varying numbers of the two types of elements. If desired, a series of numbers (not shown) may be provided on the elements of a magazine, in a suitable easily observable place on each element, for example, on the upper sides of the lugs 37 on the upper ends of the vertical legs 14. Such numbers are useful in indicating the beginning and end of a series of slides, and in locating a given slide in the series.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION-FIGS. 15 THROUGH 17 one-piece, molded plastic belt 51 of substantially the inner sides of the vertical legs 14, two such lugs being disposed on opposite sides of the boss 54 to straddle the latter when the element is pressed into place on the belt. Along the inner side of the vertical leg 14, each lug 55, 56' has a recess 57 shaped to receive the head 53, the recesses 57 forming shoulders 57 for opposing and interlocking with the shoulders 53. Thus, the two sets of tabs 55,,56 on each element straddle one of the fins 52 with a tight interlocking fit, to hold the element in place on the fin 52, both longitudinally and transversely of the fin.

Between adjacent mounting fins 52 are flexible sections 58 of the belt which form the hinges for the slidemounting elements 50. These sections preferably are molded with transversely grooved outside surfaces which reduce the thickness, and thus increase the flexibility, between the fins. For example, the thickness of the webs between the grooves and the inside surface may be on the order of .010 to .012 of an inch. The plastic used for such belts should be very durable, suitable for use in slide projectors, and capable of flexing repeatedly, for a long period after a magazine has been manufactured and sold.

For positive driving engagement between the belt 51 and a supporting shaft of a slide projector, elongated transverse ribs 59 are provided on the inner side of the belt, one such rib being aligned with each fin 52. Shafts 60 for use with this type of belt are illustrated in FIG. 15, each shaft being square in cross-section and having a longitudinal groove in each flat side for receiving the ribs 58 on the belt. It will be apparent that the ribs and the grooves may be reversed, with the same end result.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFIGS 18 THROUGH 21 Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS.

18 through 21, a magazine 61 is formed as a one-piece seats of an element can receive two contiguous sides of a slide 11. I

Adjacent the free outer end of each horizontal leg 67 the upper edges of the sidewalls curve upwardly at 68, increasing the depth of the seat. The outer end 69 of the leg forms a curved seat for the corresponding, outer side edge of a slide 11, and is spaced from the V-groove 65 a distanced selected to hold the slide-snugly from both edges. This, plus the wedging of the slide between the sidewalls of the seat in the lower leg, serves to retain the slide securely but releasably in the slideholding element.

It will be apparent, however, that there is no positive latching of slides in these elements. The somewhat simplified construction of the elements facilitates the molding of an entire magazine 61 in one integral piece.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 20, the webs 63 connecting adjacent slide-holding elements 61 are simply thin and flexible sections of plastic between the adjacent vertical legs 64 of the elements. These webs flex freely as necessary to accommodate the turning of the elements around a shaft 70 of the slide projector, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 21.

As in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. through 17, elongated ribs 71 are formed on the inner side of the magazine for positive driving engagement with elongated grooves 72 (see FIG. 21) in the flat sides of the shaft 70. Again, the ribs and grooves could be reversed, with the same result.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFIGS. 22 THROUG In the further embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 through 24, slide-holding elements 73 very similar to those in FIGS. 18 through 21, differing primarily in the illustrative grooves 74 forming the seats in the outer sides of the vertical legs 75 of the elements, the grooves in this instance being shown as having flat, substantially parallel sidewalls generally perpendicular to a flat bottom wall. This should be regarded as illustrative of a variation which may be used, although at least a small amount of outward divergence of the sidewalls is desirable both from the standpoint of molding and from the standpoint of ease of insertion of slides and secure seating of the same in the vertical legs.

More importantly, in this embodiment, the slideholding elements 73 are supported and hinged together by an endless flexible belt 78 of open-mesh fabric having about the same width as the height of the vertical legs 75, onto which the elements are molded. The elements are secured to the fabric belt by integral connectors of plastic which are molded into the belt, through the pores or apertures thereof, to form a bar 79 having the strands of the fabric interlocked therein, and by a locking head 80 molded integrally with the element and the bar on the inner side of the belt.

The heads 80 abut against the inner side of the belt to secure the elements in place. These heads thus are similar to the ribs 59 and 71 in the previously described embodiments, and serve not only as driving abutments but also'as locking means for holding the slide-holding elements 73 on the belt 78. In addition to the mechanical locking provided by the molding of the plastic through the fabric, adhesion is obtained between the plastic on the belt on both sides of the latter.

Preferably, the belt 78 is composed of flexible, nonstretching and durable fabric such as woven glass fibers. In one technique that may be used to mold the elements directly on the belt, the belt 78 is placed around a die core (not shown) having spaced cavities for forming the heads, and die halves are placed around the core and the belt with spaced cavities in the die halves for molding the elements. These cavities, of course, are aligned with the cavities for the heads, but on the outer sides of the belt.

Thus, as the mold cavities in the die halves are filled, the plastic is forced through pores of the belt 78 and forms the slide-holding elements 73, the bars 79, and

the heads in a single operation, which, when completed, leaves the elements securely mounted on the belt. This forms a complete magazine in one molding operation while avoiding the necessity of using a plastic that is suitable for the hinges as well as for the slideholding elements. It should be noted that different types of belts may be used for this embodiment, so long as openings or passages are provided for permitting the plastic to flow into the belt to form connectors extending into the belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFIGS. 25 and 26 In the last embodiment shown herein for purposes of illustration, the slide-holding elements 82 are similar to those shown in FIGS. 22 through 24. The hingeforming means, however, are endless bands 83 that are fitted into bayonet-type notches in the upper and lower endportions of the vertical legs 84 of the elements, to tie the elements flexibly together in an annular series.

As shown in FIG. 25, the notches are L-shaped, having upright portions 85 which open through the upper ends of the vertical legs 84, and also having portions 87 extending inwardly from the upright portions, with closed inner ends 88 (FIG. 26). The bands 83 have a degree of elasticity sufficient to allow them to be stretched for insertion into the upright portions 85 of I the-bayonet notches, and then released to contract into the inwardly extending portions 87. The closed inner ends 88 of the notches are made convexly arcuate, as shown in FIG. 26, to minimize the stretching of the bands as the slide-holding elements pass around a shaft 89 of a slide projector. Ribs 90 are formed on the inner sides of the vertical legs 84 of the elements for positive driving engagement with grooves 91 in the shaft.

From the foregoing, it -,will be apparent that the present invention provides a slide-holding magazine which is capable of being mass-produced in several different slides, permit easy insertion and removal of the slides, and effectively perform the necessary functions for projecting the slides in slide projectors which use this type of magazine.

It also will be apparent that, while several specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An endless flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising:

a plurality of generally L-shaped, molded plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements of said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg;

each of said legs having two sets of integral tabs thereon spaced apart transversely of the leg, with the tabs of each set spaced apart longitudinally of the leg, and with the tabs of the two sets projecting from the legs to define seats for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide, the tabs of the two sets on each leg being spaced apart to receive the slide in the seats;

latch members integrally joined to the ends of the two legs of each slide-holding element, and each including a finger projecting from the leg generally parallel to the other leg to overlie another side edge of the slide and normally hold the slide in the seat of the parallel leg, said latch members being flexibly and resiliently movable relative to said legs for movement into and out of latching positions;

two longitudinally spaced sets of integral hinge arms on each of said first legs, each such set comprising two arms projecting inwardly from said first leg and inclined laterally across the plane of the adjacent side of the element;

integral pin-and-socket hinge means on said arms for interfitting with the pin-and-socket hinge means on the adjacent elements and hinging said elements together into said annular series and for independent pivotal movement about axes spaced inwardly from said first arms and lying on said planes, said arms being positioned longitudinally of said first legs to overlap for joinder of said pin-and-socket hinge means;

and means on the inner sides of said first legs providing' bearing surfaces spaced from said arms for engagement with a supporting element of a slide projector.

2. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said tabs of each set are staggered longitudinally of the leg, relative to the tabs of the other set on the leg, and further including a ramp extending across the leg from the base of each tab, the ramps being oppositely inclined to form the bottom of each seat as effectively V-shaped, to center the slide on each of said arms.

3. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 1 in which alternating slide-holding elements of said magazine are of a first type having socket-defining cups on said hinge arms, and alternate with elements of a second type having pins on the hinge arms thereof, the

arms having cups thereon being longitudinally spaced relative to the arms having pins, to hold the cups to interfit with the pins.

4. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 3 i in which said arms are resiliently flexible, and said pins and said cups are formed and positioned to be engaged with a snap-locking action.

5. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 3 in which the pins on the two sets of arms oneach element of said second type project in opposite directions from the arms, and the cups on the two sets of arms on each element of said first type open in opposite directions from the arms to receive the pins, the cupcarrying arms being longitudinally positioned relative to adjacent pin-carrying arms to closely overlap the sides thereof upon which the pins are supported.

6. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 5. in which the pins and cups to be engaged are generally aligned with each other longitudinally of said first arms, and have cooperating cam surfaces for flexing said arms as two elements are pressed together.

7. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim I in which said means providing bearing surfaces comprise integrally molded pieces centrally'positioned on the inner sides of said legs and having flat inner sides offset inwardly from, and parallel to, said first legs to form said bearing surfaces.

8. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 7 in which alternating elements of said annular series have inwardly and laterally projecting lugs thereon which interfit slidably with longitudinally facing surfacesof the integrally molded pieces of the adjacent elements and prevent displacement of the elements longitudinally of said first legs.

9. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said second legs of said slide-holding elements have laterally projecting tabs thereon engageable with the second legs of other slide-holding elements to align the elements in side-by-side relation.

10. An endless flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising:

a plurality of generally L-shaped, molded plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of Y two adjacent elements of said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg; I each of said legs having two sets of integral tabs thereon spaced apart transversely of the leg, with the tabs of each set spaced apart longitudinally of the leg, and with the tabs of the two sets projecting from the legs to define seats for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide, the tabs of the two sets on each leg being spaced apart to receive the slide in the seats; latch members integrally joined to the ends of the two legs of each slide-holding element, and each including a finger projecting from the leg generally parallel to the other leg to overlie another side edge of the slide and normally hold the slide in the seat of the parallel leg, said members being flexibly and resiliently movable relative to said legs for movement into and out of latching positions;

and means joining said slide-holding elements together in said annular series.

11. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 10 in which said means joining said slide-holding elements comprises an annular belt of molded plastic having longitudinally spaced, transversely extending mounting means thereon, one for each of the elements of said series, and means on the inner side of the first leg of each of said elements for engaging a mounting means of said belt and securing the element to the belt, the sections of the belt between the mounting means thereon being flexible to form living hinges between adjacent elements.

12. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 11 in which the mounting means on said belt are elongated fins perpendicular to the length of the belt and integrally joined thereto, and in which the means on the inner side of each first leg comprise inwardly projecting tabs for straddling a fin with a tight fit.

13. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 12 in which said fins and said tabs have interlocking portions cooperating to hold each element securely on the belt.

14. An endless flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising:

a plurality of generally L-shaped, molded plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg on one side disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements of said annular series, and a second leg on a second side projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg;

means defining elongated seats in the adjacent sides of said legs for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide fitted into the right angle of the element;

said elements being substantially open on the other sides thereof opposite said first and second legs for relatively free access to and from said seats through both of said other sides, and having means thereon for holding a slide releasably in said seats; and means forming hinges between said first legs and joining the latter together in said annular series to form said flexible magazine. 15. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 14 in which said hinge-forming means comprise snapfitting pin-and-socket elements molded integrally of plastic on said first legs, and forming hinges having axes parallel to said first legs and lying along the planes of the sides of each of said slide-holding elements.

16. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 14 in which said hinge-forming means is an endless belt having mounting means spaced around the outer side of the belt and flexible sections between said mounting means, said slide-holding elements having means on the inner sides of said first legs for securing the latter to said mounting means.

17. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 16 further including an abutment on the inner side of said belt in alignment with each of said elements for driving engagement with a slide projector.

18. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 17 in which said abutments are elongated ribs integral with said belt.

19. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 14 in which all of said slide-holding elements and said hinge-forming means are molded in one piece of plastic, said hinge-forming means comprising flexible webs of said plastic extending between said first legs and integrally joining said first legs together.

20. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 14 in which said hinge forming means is an annular flexible belt having openings therethrough, and said slide-holding elements have integral plastic connecting means extending from the inner sides of said first legs into said openings and securing the elements to the belt.

21.'An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 20 in which said belt is composed of fabric, said openings are spaces between strands forming the fabric, and said elements are integral plastic connectors extending through the openings in the fabric, and further including heads integral with the connectors and lying against the inner side of the belt around the openings.

22. An endless flexible magazine for holding a plural ity of slides in a slide projector, comprising:

a plurality of one-piece molded plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements in said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of said first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg;

each of said first legs having integral means along one side thereof defining a first seat that is elongated longitudinally of the first leg and opens outwardly therefrom to receive one side edge of a slide, and each of said second legs having integral means along the side thereof adjacent the first leg defining a second seat that is elongated longitudinally of the second leg to receive a second side edge of the slide that is contiguous to said one side edge;

each of said elements also having integral means on said legs for retaining a slide firmly but removably in said seats, but leaving the sides of the element opposite the seats substantially open;

and means forming longitudinal hinges between said first legs and thereby joining all of said elements together into the endless flexible magazine capable of holding a number of slides equal to the number of slide-holding elements.

23. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said hinge-forming means comprise interfitting pin-and-socket hinge members integrally molded of plastic on said first legs and positioned to be snapfitted together, each first leg having at least one hinge member engaged with a hinge member on one adjacent arms adjacent each end of said first leg projecting in-' wardly from the inner side thereof and inclined in opposite directions to extend across the planes of the opthe arms of the adjacent elements, and in which the pin-and-socket elements are carried on the overlapped portions of said arms.

26. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 25 in which there are slide-holding elements of two different types, one having sockets on said arms, and the other having pins on said arms, each of the socketcarrying arms being positioned longitudinally of the first leg to overlap with an adjacent pin-carrying arm with the socket facing toward the pin to receive the latter.

27. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 26 in which said sockets adjacent each end of a first leg open toward the opposite end of the leg, and the pins project toward the adjacent ends, thereby to interfit with the sockets and lock said hinge members together.

28. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 27 in which said elements are composed of relatively stiff, resiliently flexible material to permit snapping of said elements together.

29. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 24 further including a bearing abutment members on the inner side of each of said first legs between said sets of hinge members for engagement with supporting parts of the slide projector.

30. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 29 in which said bearing abutment members are boxlike parts having flat inner sides that are offset inwardly from, and parallel to, said first legs, and aligned with the pivotal axes defined by said hinge members on each side of a slide-holding element.

31. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said seat-defining means comprise two sets of holding tabs on each leg, the tabs of each such set being spaced apart longitudinally of the leg along one side of the seat thereon, and being transversely sapced from the tabs of the other set on the leg, to receive the slide, the tabs of the two sets being longitudinally staggered relative to the tabs of the other set, and further including an inclined ramp extending from the base of each tab across the leg of the slide-holding element, the ramps of the two sets being oppositely inclined to form the bottom of said seats to V shapes for centering slides in the seats.

32. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said slide-retaining means include a latch member movably mounted on the end of each first leg remote from the second leg, and projecting outwardly generally parallel to the second leg, the latch member being yieldably urged to a normal position for engagement with the side of the slide opposite the second leg to hold the slide releasably against the second leg.

33. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said slide-retaining means include a latch member movably mounted on the end of each second leg remote from the first leg, and extending transversely of the second leg, generally parallel to said first leg, said latch member being yieldably urged to a normal position for engagement with the side of the slide opposite the first leg to hold the slide releasably against the second leg.

34. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 33 in which a similar latch member is movably mounted on the end of each first leg remote from the second leg, for engagement with the side of the slide opposite the second leg.

35. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 34 in which said slide-holding elements are one-piece plastic moldings, and said latch members are integrally formed fingers flexibly and resiliently joined to said legs.

36. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said hinge-forming means comprise a flexible annular belt, said'first legs being joined to the outer side of. said belt with said second legs projecting outwardly along one edge of the belt.

37. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim '36 in which said belt has an elongated transversely extending rib on its inner side in alignment with each slide-holding element for driving engagement in a slide projector.

38. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 36 in which said belt and said slide-holding elements are integrally joined together as a one-piece plastic molding, said belt having webs extending between adjacent first legs and forming living hinges for said slideholding elements.

39. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 36 in which said belt has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending mounting elements thereon, projecting outwardly from the outer side of the belt, and said first legs of said slide-holding elements are formed with inwardly projecting mounting elements on the inner sides thereof, said mounting elements having interlocking means for securing said slide-holding elements to said belt.

40. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 39 in which the mounting elements on said belt are elongated fins, and the mounting elements on said first legs are transversely spaced sets of tabs for straddling said fins, said interlocking means comprising thickened free end portions on said fins and recesses adjacent said first legs for receiving said thickened free end portions.

41. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 36 in which said belt is formed with openings aligned with said first legs, and the latter have integral plastic connecting means thereon projecting inwardly from the inner sides thereof through said openings and including integral plastic heads abutting against the inner side of the belt around the openings to secure the slideholding elements to the belt.

42. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 41 in which said belt is an open-mesh fabric belt, and said connecting means are integrally formed with said elements as portions of plastic molded through the fabric of the belt.

43. A one-piece, molded plastic magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector comprising:

a plurality of basically L-shaped plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements in said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of said first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg;

said elements being substantially Open on the other sides thereof; opposite said first and second legs;

means integral with each element for holding a slide on the element with two contiguous edges of the slide against the two legs of the element;

and flexible webs of plastic integral with said slideholding elements and extending between said first legs to form hinges joining the elements together.

44. A flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising:

an endless flexible belt having openings extending into the belt;

a plurality of basically L-shaped plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series around the outer side of the belt, and each having a first leg disposed against the belt and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg, generally at a right angle thereto;

said elements being substantially open on the other sides thereof, opposite said first and second legs;

means on each element for holding a slide on the element with two contiguous edges of the slide against the two legs of the element;

and connecting means extending from each first leg into openings in the belt and securing the element to the belt.

45. A flexible magazine as define in claim 44 in which said belt is open-mesh fabric defining said openings as pores in the fabric, and said connecting means comprise an integral plastic bar extending through the pores and interlocked with the fabric, and integral heads on said bars abutting against the inner side of the belt.

46. A flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising:

a plurality of basically L-shaped plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of twoadjacent ele ments in said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of said first leg between the second legs of two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle there-to;

said elements being substantially open on the other sides thereof, opposite said first and second legs;

means on each element for holding a slide on the element with two contiguous edges of the slide against the two legs of the element; and

means forming-hinges between said first legs to join all of said elements together in said endless flexible magazine.

47. A molded plastic slide-holding element foruse in forming an endless flexible slide magazine, comprising:

first and second elongated legs joined together generally at a right angle to form a basically L-shaped slide-holding structure;

means along the adjacent sides of said legs defining coplanar seats for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide;

and means on said element for holding a slide releasably in place on said element with said side edges in said seats while leaving the sides of the element opposite the seats substantially open.

48. A slide-holding element as defined in claim 47 further including snap-fitting pin-and-socket hinge elements carried on the side of said first leg remote from the seat thereon.

49. A slide-holding element as defined in claim 47 in which said holding means comprise integral latching members movably joined to the free end portions of said legs and normally positioned to overlie and engage portions of the remaining sides of a slide adjacent the free ends of said legs, said latching members being yieldably urged to latching positions.

Patent No.

Inventor) Dated lung 28 I 1914 GeraldJ. Frey et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

line

line

line

line

line

Signed (SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. Attesting Officer and change "sapced" to --spaced-- sealed this 29th day of October 1974.

C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents 

1. An endless flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising: a plurality of generally L-shaped, molded plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements of said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg; each of said legs having two sets of integral tabs thereon spaced apart transversely of the leg, with the tabs of each set spaced apart longitudinally of the leg, and with the tabs of the two sets projecting from the legs to define seats for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide, the tabs of the two sets on each leg being spaced apart to receive the slide in the seats; latch members integrally joined to the ends of the two legs of each slide-holding element, and each including a finger projecting from the leg generally parallel to the other leg to overlie another side edge of the slide and normally hold the slide in the seat of the parallel leg, said latch members being flexibly and resiliently movable relative to said legs for movement into and out of latching positions; two longitudinally spaced sets of integral hinge arms on each of said first legs, each such set comprising two arms projecting inwardly from said first leg and inclined laterally across the plane of the adjacent side of the element; integral pin-and-socket hinge means on said arms for interfitting with the pin-and-socket hinge means on the adjacent elements and hinging said elements together into said annular series and for independent pivotal movement about axes spaced inwardly from said first arms and lying on said planes, said arms being positioned longitudinally of said first legs to overlap for joinder of said pin-and-socket hinge means; and means on the inner sides of said first legs providing bearing surfaces spaced from said arms for engagement with a supporting element of a slide projector.
 2. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said tabs of each set are staggered longitudinally of the leg, relative to the tabs of the other set on the leg, and further including a ramp extending across the leg from the base of each tab, the ramps being oppositely inclined to form the bottom of each seat as effectively V-shaped, to center the slide on each of said arms.
 3. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 1 in which alternating slide-holding elements of said magazine are of a first type having socket-defining cups on said hinge arms, and alternate with elements of a second type having pins on the hinge arms thereof, the arms having cups thereon being longitudinally spaced relative to the arms having pins, to hold the cups to interfit with the pins.
 4. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 3 in which said arms are resiliently flexible, and said pins and said cups are formed and positioned to be engaged with a snap-locking action.
 5. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 3 in which the pins on the two sets of arms on each element of said second type project in opposite directions from the arms, and the cups on the two sets of arms on each element of said first type open in opposite directions from the arms to receive the pins, the cup-carrying arms being longitudinally positioned relative to adjacent pin-carrying arms to closely overlap the sides thereof upon which the pins are supported.
 6. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 5 in which the pins and cups to be engaged are generally aligned with each other longitudinally of said first arms, and have cooperating cam surfaces for flexing said arms as two elements are pressed together.
 7. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said means providing bearing surfaces comprise integrally molded pieces centrally positioned on the inner sides of said legs and having flat inner sides offset inwardly from, and parallel to, said first legs to form said bearing surfaces.
 8. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 7 in which alternating elements of said annular series have inwardly and laterally projecting lugs thereon which interfit slidably with longitudinally facing surfaces of the integrally molded pieces of the adjacent elements and prevent displacement of the elements longitudinally of said first legs.
 9. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said second legs of said slide-holding elements have laterally projecting tabs thereon engageable with the second legs of other slide-holding elements to align the elements in side-by-side relation.
 10. An endless flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising: a plurality of generally L-shaped, molded plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements of said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg; each of said legs having two sets of integral tabs thereon spaced apart transversely of the leg, with the tabs of each set spaced apart longitudinally of the leg, and with the tabs of the two sets projecting from the legs to define seats for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide, the tabs of the two sets on each leg being spaced apart to receive the slide in the seats; latch members integrally joined to the ends of the two legs of each slide-holding element, and each including a finger projecting from the leg generally parallel to the other leg to overlie another side edge of the slide and normally hold the slide in the seat of the parallel leg, said members being flexibly and resiliently movable relative to said legs for movement into and out of latching positions; and means joining said slide-holding elements together in said annular series.
 11. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 10 in which said means joining said slide-holding elements comprises an annular belt of molded plastic having longitudinally spaced, transversely extending mounting means thereon, one for each of the elements of said series, and means on the inner side of the first leg of each of said elements for engaging a mounting means of said belt and securing the element to the belt, the sections of the belt between the mounting means thereon being flexible to form living hinges between adjacent elements.
 12. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 11 in which the mounting means on said belt are elongated fins perpendicular to the length of the belt and integrally joined thereto, and in which the means on the inner side of each first leg comprise inwardly projecting tabs for straddling a fin with a tight fit.
 13. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 12 in which said fins and said tabs have interlocking portions cooperating to hold each element securely on the belt.
 14. An endless flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising: a plurality of generally L-shaped, molded plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg on one side disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements of said annular series, and a second leg on a second side projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg; means defining elongated seats in the adjacent sides of said legs for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide fitted into the right angle of the element; said elements being substantially open on the other sides thereof opposite said first and second legs for relatively free access to and from said seats through both of said other sides, and having means thereon for holding a slide releasably in said seats; and means forming hinges between said first legs and joining the latter together in said annular series to form said flexible magazine.
 15. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 14 in which said hinge-forming means comprise snap-fitting pin-and-socket elements molded integrally of plastic on said first legs, and forming hinges having axes parallel to said first legs and lying along the planes of the sides of each of said slide-holdiNg elements.
 16. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 14 in which said hinge-forming means is an endless belt having mounting means spaced around the outer side of the belt and flexible sections between said mounting means, said slide-holding elements having means on the inner sides of said first legs for securing the latter to said mounting means.
 17. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 16 further including an abutment on the inner side of said belt in alignment with each of said elements for driving engagement with a slide projector.
 18. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 17 in which said abutments are elongated ribs integral with said belt.
 19. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 14 in which all of said slide-holding elements and said hinge-forming means are molded in one piece of plastic, said hinge-forming means comprising flexible webs of said plastic extending between said first legs and integrally joining said first legs together.
 20. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 14 in which said hinge forming means is an annular flexible belt having openings therethrough, and said slide-holding elements have integral plastic connecting means extending from the inner sides of said first legs into said openings and securing the elements to the belt.
 21. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 20 in which said belt is composed of fabric, said openings are spaces between strands forming the fabric, and said elements are integral plastic connectors extending through the openings in the fabric, and further including heads integral with the connectors and lying against the inner side of the belt around the openings.
 22. An endless flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising: a plurality of one-piece molded plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements in said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of said first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg; each of said first legs having integral means along one side thereof defining a first seat that is elongated longitudinally of the first leg and opens outwardly therefrom to receive one side edge of a slide, and each of said second legs having integral means along the side thereof adjacent the first leg defining a second seat that is elongated longitudinally of the second leg to receive a second side edge of the slide that is contiguous to said one side edge; each of said elements also having integral means on said legs for retaining a slide firmly but removably in said seats, but leaving the sides of the element opposite the seats substantially open; and means forming longitudinal hinges between said first legs and thereby joining all of said elements together into the endless flexible magazine capable of holding a number of slides equal to the number of slide-holding elements.
 23. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said hinge-forming means comprise interfitting pin-and-socket hinge members integrally molded of plastic on said first legs and positioned to be snap-fitted together, each first leg having at least one hinge member engaged with a hinge member on one adjacent first leg and at least one hinge member engaged with a hinge member on the other adjacent first leg.
 24. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 23 in which each first leg has two longitudinally spaced sets of hinge members engaged with two longitudinally spaced sets of hinge members on each adjacent first leg.
 25. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 24 in which each set of hinge members includes two arms adjacent each end of said first leg projecting inwardly from the inner side thereof and inclined in opposite directions to exTend across the planes of the opposite sides of the element, in overlapped relation with the arms of the adjacent elements, and in which the pin-and-socket elements are carried on the overlapped portions of said arms.
 26. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 25 in which there are slide-holding elements of two different types, one having sockets on said arms, and the other having pins on said arms, each of the socket-carrying arms being positioned longitudinally of the first leg to overlap with an adjacent pin-carrying arm with the socket facing toward the pin to receive the latter.
 27. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 26 in which said sockets adjacent each end of a first leg open toward the opposite end of the leg, and the pins project toward the adjacent ends, thereby to interfit with the sockets and lock said hinge members together.
 28. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 27 in which said elements are composed of relatively stiff, resiliently flexible material to permit snapping of said elements together.
 29. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 24 further including a bearing abutment members on the inner side of each of said first legs between said sets of hinge members for engagement with supporting parts of the slide projector.
 30. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 29 in which said bearing abutment members are box-like parts having flat inner sides that are offset inwardly from, and parallel to, said first legs, and aligned with the pivotal axes defined by said hinge members on each side of a slide-holding element.
 31. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said seat-defining means comprise two sets of holding tabs on each leg, the tabs of each such set being spaced apart longitudinally of the leg along one side of the seat thereon, and being transversely sapced from the tabs of the other set on the leg, to receive the slide, the tabs of the two sets being longitudinally staggered relative to the tabs of the other set, and further including an inclined ramp extending from the base of each tab across the leg of the slide-holding element, the ramps of the two sets being oppositely inclined to form the bottom of said seats to ''''V'''' shapes for centering slides in the seats.
 32. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said slide-retaining means include a latch member movably mounted on the end of each first leg remote from the second leg, and projecting outwardly generally parallel to the second leg, the latch member being yieldably urged to a normal position for engagement with the side of the slide opposite the second leg to hold the slide releasably against the second leg.
 33. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said slide-retaining means include a latch member movably mounted on the end of each second leg remote from the first leg, and extending transversely of the second leg, generally parallel to said first leg, said latch member being yieldably urged to a normal position for engagement with the side of the slide opposite the first leg to hold the slide releasably against the second leg.
 34. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 33 in which a similar latch member is movably mounted on the end of each first leg remote from the second leg, for engagement with the side of the slide opposite the second leg.
 35. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 34 in which said slide-holding elements are one-piece plastic moldings, and said latch members are integrally formed fingers flexibly and resiliently joined to said legs.
 36. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 22 in which said hinge-forming means comprise a flexible annular belt, said first legs being joined to the outer side of said belt with said second legs projecting outwardly along one edge of the belt.
 37. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 36 in which said belt has an elongated transverselY extending rib on its inner side in alignment with each slide-holding element for driving engagement in a slide projector.
 38. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 36 in which said belt and said slide-holding elements are integrally joined together as a one-piece plastic molding, said belt having webs extending between adjacent first legs and forming living hinges for said slide-holding elements.
 39. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 36 in which said belt has a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending mounting elements thereon, projecting outwardly from the outer side of the belt, and said first legs of said slide-holding elements are formed with inwardly projecting mounting elements on the inner sides thereof, said mounting elements having interlocking means for securing said slide-holding elements to said belt.
 40. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 39 in which the mounting elements on said belt are elongated fins, and the mounting elements on said first legs are transversely spaced sets of tabs for straddling said fins, said interlocking means comprising thickened free end portions on said fins and recesses adjacent said first legs for receiving said thickened free end portions.
 41. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 36 in which said belt is formed with openings aligned with said first legs, and the latter have integral plastic connecting means thereon projecting inwardly from the inner sides thereof through said openings and including integral plastic heads abutting against the inner side of the belt around the openings to secure the slide-holding elements to the belt.
 42. An endless flexible magazine as defined in claim 41 in which said belt is an open-mesh fabric belt, and said connecting means are integrally formed with said elements as portions of plastic molded through the fabric of the belt.
 43. A one-piece, molded plastic magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector comprising: a plurality of basically L-shaped plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements in said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of said first leg between the second legs of the two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle with the first leg; said elements being substantially open on the other sides thereof, opposite said first and second legs; means integral with each element for holding a slide on the element with two contiguous edges of the slide against the two legs of the element; and flexible webs of plastic integral with said slide-holding elements and extending between said first legs to form hinges joining the elements together.
 44. A flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising: an endless flexible belt having openings extending into the belt; a plurality of basically L-shaped plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series around the outer side of the belt, and each having a first leg disposed against the belt and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of the first leg, generally at a right angle thereto; said elements being substantially open on the other sides thereof, opposite said first and second legs; means on each element for holding a slide on the element with two contiguous edges of the slide against the two legs of the element; and connecting means extending from each first leg into openings in the belt and securing the element to the belt.
 45. A flexible magazine as define in claim 44 in which said belt is open-mesh fabric defining said openings as pores in the fabric, and said connecting means comprise an integral plastic bar extending through the pores and interlocked with the fabric, and integral heads on said bars abutting against the inner side Of the belt.
 46. A flexible magazine for holding a plurality of slides in a slide projector, comprising: a plurality of basically L-shaped plastic slide-holding elements arranged in side-by-side relation in an annular series, and each having an elongated first leg disposed between the first legs of two adjacent elements in said annular series, and a second leg projecting outwardly from one end of said first leg between the second legs of two adjacent elements, generally at a right angle thereto; said elements being substantially open on the other sides thereof, opposite said first and second legs; means on each element for holding a slide on the element with two contiguous edges of the slide against the two legs of the element; and means forming hinges between said first legs to join all of said elements together in said endless flexible magazine.
 47. A molded plastic slide-holding element for use in forming an endless flexible slide magazine, comprising: first and second elongated legs joined together generally at a right angle to form a basically L-shaped slide-holding structure; means along the adjacent sides of said legs defining coplanar seats for receiving two contiguous side edges of a slide; and means on said element for holding a slide releasably in place on said element with said side edges in said seats while leaving the sides of the element opposite the seats substantially open.
 48. A slide-holding element as defined in claim 47 further including snap-fitting pin-and-socket hinge elements carried on the side of said first leg remote from the seat thereon.
 49. A slide-holding element as defined in claim 47 in which said holding means comprise integral latching members movably joined to the free end portions of said legs and normally positioned to overlie and engage portions of the remaining sides of a slide adjacent the free ends of said legs, said latching members being yieldably urged to latching positions. 